On the Pastry Sampler Blog, I posted an article on the research and proposed labeling for baking powders sold at the time. Interesting stuff, and people were concerned with ‘truth in labeling’ even in the 1880s.

Sometimes an old recipe isn’t so hot, especially when it contains an ingredient that could be harmful to your health. Especially in the case of old recipes using the imitation vanilla flavors ‘Imitation Vanillin,’ ‘Coumarin,’ and ‘Vanilla and Tonka Flavor.’ I was intrigued by these flavors that I found in an old Perfection Recipe Book …

Ratafias are flavored liqueurs made of sweetened, infused spirits. They were used in confectionery and pastry, and came in different colors and flavors. From Wikipedia: Ratafia is a term used for two types of sweet alcoholic beverage, either a fortified wine or a fruit-based beverage. The latter type is a liqueur or cordial flavored with …

The 1911 copy of Royal Baker and Pastry Cook included a recipe for chocolate cakes baked in patty pans. Of course, since the recipe book is published by a baking powder company, baking powder is the most important ingredient. My copy included a small flyer, Facts Worth Knowing, describing the differences in the different baking …